#PinkTutuBlogNYC Monday 2018-02-19 she danced in New York City

Hello my gorgeous fellow tutu-wearers! It's Emma from your favourite pink-loving ballerina blog, and this week I'm bursting with excitement to tell you all about my amazing weekend in the Big Apple! It's been a whirlwind of Broadway shows, ballet class, delicious New York treats, and of course, tons of shopping. (It wouldn't be a Pink Tutu adventure without a bit of retail therapy, would it?)

This time, I had the good fortune of getting to dance alongside some seriously talented ballerinas at the American Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker" - talk about a dream come true! Let's be honest, I couldn't possibly imagine a more glamorous backdrop for a tutu-wearing adventure than the grand stage of the Metropolitan Opera House!

As usual, I decided to give New York City a little bit of Derbyshire colour with my outfit - you wouldn't catch me in a New York street without my trusty pink tutu, now would you? I paired it with a sparkling, sapphire blue sweater (the perfect way to contrast against all that pink!) and a cute, little, black ballerina flat. It felt just right - all graceful and twirly, and yet so city chic.

The first thing I had to do upon landing in New York was, of course, find a delicious slice of New York pizza and a juicy bagel! (They just taste different here, don't you think?). It wasn't exactly "ballet barre snacks" - but hey, I deserved a bit of treat after the long journey! With my food cravings satisfied, it was time to make my way to the subway.

I can honestly say I never get bored with the NYC subway - there are always so many different people to see and so much going on. A big, bustling, exciting mess of human activity - just the way I like it. The rhythmic clang of the subway doors as they opened and shut made me feel like I was part of some big, fantastical city ballet!

My first destination? Ballet class, of course! Nothing says "Bonjour, New York" better than a sweaty, high-energy, pirouette-packed class. And boy oh boy, was I ready to let loose! My new classmates, a mix of Broadway hopefuls and NYC dance pros, were just delightful - always up for a chat, a little competition (a ballet class with no bit of friendly competition, is not a real ballet class!), and of course, always happy to lend a helping hand if I struggled with a particularly tricky step.

Next up on my New York schedule, it was time for my first peek at "The Nutcracker." Oh my gosh, can I just say, seeing a performance at the Metropolitan Opera House felt so much like stepping into one of those big-budget ballets that we all dream of as little girls. The atmosphere was just magic! You can definitely feel the history in the air - the legacy of all the talented dancers and composers who've performed there over the years. It's almost as if the place is vibrating with musical and artistic energy!

Watching the graceful ballerinas floating through the stage was like watching a magical dream unfold. I literally felt my heart skip a beat when the sugar plum fairies twirled into view. My favourite ballerina - always the ballerina, I'll never understand how they can stand so tall and graceful, even when wearing those heavy tutus! But her performance - that was art, a story told purely through movement and expression, it took my breath away. It was truly unforgettable.

But beyond the stage and the costumes, there was something extra special about the evening that made it extra-memorable. Seeing the faces of the little girls and boys in the audience, their eyes alight with awe and excitement - it reminded me just why I dance and why I choose to share my passion with the world.

### Broadway Baby

Later that evening, I treated myself to a delicious dinner (more bagel and pizza, I'm so New York, you know?) before heading out to see a Broadway show. "Hamilton" - what a powerhouse of talent! Watching these young, incredibly talented dancers move and perform was just a pure joy - so raw and energetic. You could tell everyone on stage was pouring every ounce of their hearts and souls into the performance, and it was inspiring!

Of course, as a ballerina, I can never resist watching how those Broadway dancers move and I try to see how I can incorporate a little bit of that stage presence into my ballet work! You can tell these guys spend their days working on every inch of their performance - and it truly shows. It made me excited to get back into the studio the following day.

I can honestly say, if there is one piece of advice I would offer to every ballerina in the world, it would be: see a Broadway show! It will inspire you! There's no better way to learn more about performance, to really understand how important body language and connection with an audience can be.

As I wandered through the busy streets of New York - all lit up with twinkling neon lights and overflowing with the sounds of city life - I had an idea. It just popped into my mind as I was admiring the beautifully dressed people in the streets!

I want to start a Pink Tutu movement. A way for everyone to wear a pink tutu with pride - regardless of their age, their size, their background, or their life experiences. This isn't about fashion (though, it certainly doesn't hurt!), this is about bringing people together, and creating a sense of fun and community, with the power of a pink tutu.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to walk down the street and see people of all ages twirling in their pink tutus - embracing their inner ballerina? I bet it would bring smiles to faces and create some joyful, whimsical chaos, which would definitely put a little extra twirl into all our lives.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to join my movement? If you're looking to get a little bit of pink in your life, don't be afraid to reach for a tutu.

You might just be surprised by the transformation that comes with twirling!

New York is a city that never sleeps and never stands still. That vibrant energy really rubbed off on me during my visit, and it's got me feeling excited and ready to conquer anything! This city reminds you to take a leap of faith and to never stop dancing.

It's back to the Derbyshire studios for me next week. However, with the taste of New York City dancing in my head and that pink tutu sparkling in the corner of my closet - I know that I'll be back soon, twirling into the heart of the city that never sleeps. Until then, keep dancing!

And always remember: never, ever stop twirling in that beautiful pink tutu!

Lots of Love, Emma, www.pink-tutu.com